Russian Revolution
Russia ready for a revolution Changing economy Social issues Growth of political consciousness Bolshevik Party (Communist Party in Russia)
We Need Reform! By 1917, Russia needed reform Impact of revolutionary ideas Weak, inefficient government Stood far behind rest of Europe in industry and farming
People of Russia resented autocracy of Czar Nicholas II Felt gov’t & reign was corrupt Nicholas uses force on his own people to attempt to stop revolution
Participation in WWI Left country with food shortages Widespread inflation Country not prepared for war Inadequately supplied- weapons, logistics, etc.
All events contributed to people thinking Nicholas II was unfit to rule Nicholas abdicated (left) his throne in February of 1917
March 1917-Provisional (temporary) gov’t placed Nicholas and family under house arrest July 1918- Royal family executed
Revolution? Germany decides to support Bolsheviks to weaken Russia’s position and Eastern Front April 1917- Germany sent Lenin on train (all windows blacked out-secretive!) With Lenin back in Russia, Bolshevik party increased in popularity
Bolshevik party successful because it supported the aims of the soldiers, workers, and peasants Motto for Revolution: “Peace, Land, and Bread”
Success! November 6, 1917- Lenin elected Chair of Council of People’s Commissars Bolsheviks take over gov’t New urban industrial regions appeared Education and literacy increased March 1918- Lenin pulled Russia out of WWI
Civil War Breaks Out Reds vs. Whites 1918 “Reds” (communists and revolutionaries) “Whites” (monarchists, conservatives, liberalists, moderate socialists) Whites were backed by G.B., France, U.S., Japan- Did not want communist revolutions to spread! Brought death and suffering to millions of people regardless of their political orientation
Comrade Lenin “cleanses the earth” 1920 Red Terror Due to suspicion of counterrevolutionaries, the Bolsheviks created a secret police “the Cheka” which killed and tortured thousands from 1918-1920
Russia is the first nation to have successful Communist revolution Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Lenin, and Leon Trotsky, 1919.
White Army propaganda poster Who is represented in the poster?